Welcome to the winter edition of the Quit Centre Quarterly newsletter, with updates about programs, guidelines, research and resources.
The Quit Centre team was heartened by the 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) findings that 8.3% of Australians reported smoking daily, fewer than ever before. However, tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Australia.
Quit Centre supports health professionals caring for people from priority populations where smoking rates remain high, including those aged over 60, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, those living with mental illness, and people living in rural and remote areas. The NDSHS also reported on the increased current use of e-cigarettes (vapes) among people aged over 14 years, particularly 18–24-year-olds. The TGA provides information for health professionals about the evolving changes to the regulation of vapes via its Vaping Hub.
Kind Regards,
Dr Eileen Cole,
GP Lead, Quit.